Homes / Residences / Apartments
At West Metro Fire-Rescue, we're always concerned with the safety of our citizens. Recreation fires are no exception and the cause of many larger fires if not watched closely.
The following PDF file details the recreational burning rules/guidelines.
Apartment Safety
Fire Safety in an apartment presents some different circumstances than a single family home. If a fire occurs in one apartment, all other residents in the building can be affected. People need to be even more careful about fire prevention.
Although most cities have specific fire and safety regulations for apartments, it is often up the residents to take precautions to make their own apartment safe.
The Fire Prevention Staff is always willing assist with any issues related to fire safety. We are also willing to do fire safety presentations to educate the residents on fire safety. For further information contact Shelby Wolf, Fire Inspector at 763.230.7006, or Aaron Surratt at 763.230.7005.
For a full listing of items a fire inspector looks for during an apartment inspection, click here for a PDF file. Also, click here for a PDF file of fire prevention safety tips for apartments.
Smoke Detector Handout for Apartments
Studies have shown that roughly one-fifth of the tens of millions of smoke alarms installed in homes or apartments are not in proper working condition. These poorly maintained units endanger occupants by creating a false sense of security.
More than half of all fatal fires strike when people are asleep. The sooner a sleeping person wakes up and reacts, the greater his or her chances are of surviving the fire. If you’re asleep, the smell of smoke won’t always wake you up. In fact, smoke and poisonous gases can put you into a deeper sleep. Smoke alarms can cut your risk of dying in a fire nearly in half. Most people who die in home fires don’t die from the actual fire itself, but the smoke. Smoke alarms do save lives, and are required by law.
Click here for a PDF file with a detailed maintenance list for your smoke detector.
Carbon Monoxide Detector Information
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, deadly gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion. CO can form in homes when there is not enough fresh air for complete combustion of fuel.
Learn more about CO and how to prevent CO build up by reading our PDF file by clicking here.
Visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and their PDF file regarding Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Using a Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher can be a valuable tool for extinguishing small contained fires. They aren’t, however, designed to fight large fires and they aren’t for everyone. You should use them only if you are an adult, know how to operate the extinguisher, can reach the extinguisher easily, the extinguisher matches the type of fire you’re fighting and you have a clear escape route.
To read more about using a fire extinguisher, click here for a PDF file.
General Fire Safety Tips
More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured. An overwhelming number of fires occur in the home. There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It's not a question of luck. It's a matter of planning ahead.
Click here for a PDF file with more information on basic fire safety tips.
Getting out and staying alive in the event of a fire
Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year. Everyone should practice the home fire escape plan at all times of the day and night. If the smoke alarm sounds in your home everyone will know how to get out and meet at the outside meeting place. Choose a spot in front of your home where the fire department will see you when they arrive. Never go back into the burning building to attempt to rescue people, pets or possessions. Firefighters are trained.
Click here for a PDF file with more information on basic fire safety tips II.
Heater Safety Facts
West Metro Fire Rescue District is asking residents of Crystal and New Hope to follow safety precautions when purchasing and using electric or fuel-fired heaters. If heaters are misused they can cause injury and/or death to the occupant or to others in a building. We want everyone to be safe! Due to the increasing cost of heating a home or apartment many people in the community are looking at alternative heating arrangements. In the recent year, there were about 10,900 residential fires and about 190 deaths associated with portable or fixed space heaters. In addition an average of about 85 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by heating systems, ranges/ovens and water heaters.
Click here for a PDF file on more heater safety facts and regulations.
Requirements in using Holiday Decorations and Lights
Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.
Christmas Trees and a Holiday Safety
The Minnesota State Fire Code and West Metro Fire-Rescue District prohibits the use, display or storage of natural or resin-bearing Christmas trees or decorations. There is one exception:
The use and display of natural or resin-bearing Christmas trees or decorations inside individual dwelling units is permitted.
For artificial Christmas trees the use or display of flame-retardant artificial trees with listed electrical light decorations is allowed in all occupancies.
As the holiday season again draws near, following these simple but effective fire prevention tips at home can minimize the possibility of a fire:
Trees
-
Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection.
-
A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a hazard than a dry tree.
-
To check for freshness remember: it should be green, fresh needles are hard to pull away from branches, when bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break away, trunk or butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, the needles should not be falling off ( that is a sign of a dry tree.
-
Place trees away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources (minimum of 3 feet).
-
Keep the stand filled with water when the tree is indoors.
-
Place the tree out of the way and do not block doorways.
-
Use electrical items (such as Christmas lights or other holiday decorations) that are listed and in good condition. Make sure the electrical circuits are not overloaded. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Never place lights on a metallic tree or metal furniture. The tree or furniture can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, any person touching a branch could be electrocuted!
-
Always unplug the lights before going to sleep or leaving home.
-
Be aware of where the electrical cords are located under the tree. Do not put packages on top of electrical cord. This can cause physical damage to the cord and could cause a fire.
-
Never use candles to decorate a tree.
-
Be aware that a dry tree is a serious fire hazard. If ignited, it will burn very quickly and with intense heat. Spraying or “flocking” a tree does not make it fire-resistive, so be careful. If your tree begins dropping needles, be sure to dispose of it safely. Dried-out trees are very dangerous. Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials for trimmings.
-
Do not put extension cords through windows or sliding doors, etc… This can damage the wiring and cause a fire. If using lighting outside it should be a listed and/or approved type and plugged to an outlet outside.
We at West Metro Fire-Rescue District hope everyone has a nice holiday season and be safe! If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact the Fire Prevention staff at 763.537.2323.
Click here for a PDF file on holiday decorations and light regulations.
Preventing Hazardous Material Fires
For your safety and the well-being of your family be aware of what hazardous materials are, and then learn to store them or dispose of them properly.
Click here for a PDF file that outlines how to identify hazardous materials, minimize the risk of ignition and a listing of common hazardous materials in the home.
Residential Fire Evacuation Plan - Getting out and staying alive in the event of a fire
With a fire burning in your home, there is no time to waste. You may have to contend with fear, darkness, confusion, even blinding smoke and searing heat. If you plan and practice now, you and your family will know what to do in a real emergency. In the event of a fire, it pays to be prepared.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association and the West Metro Fire-Rescue District, every household should develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with all occupants at least twice a year. Appoint someone to be the monitor, to sound the alarm and make sure everyone participates. Because the majority of fatal fires occur when people are sleeping start the drill by going to your bedroom, closing the door, and waiting for the monitor to sound the alarm. Remember, a fire drill is not a race. Get out quickly but carefully!
Click here for a PDF file with more information on developing your own fire evacuation plan.
Safe Cooking at Home
West Metro Fire-Rescue District wants you to be safe while cooking in your home!
As a Fire District, which serves New Hope and Crystal, we respond to many fire calls related to cooking in your home. The fire calls range from burnt food to a full-blown grease fire on the stove. The Fire Prevention Personnel would like provide you with some information on how to be safe while cooking in your kitchen.
Cooking fires cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries in our nation each year. Here in Minnesota we suffered 2 deaths, 44 civilians’ injuries, and 4 firefighter’s injuries during 2003 from cooking fires. The facts along with the more than 2.5 million in property loss make reducing the statistics a priority to West Metro Fire-Rescue District.
Click here for a PDF file with more safety tips when cooking at home.
Safety for Seniors
Next to young children, seniors are the next highest risk category in terms of fire deaths. Again the issue is mobility and exiting. Careless smoking caused one of every 4 senior fire deaths. Avoid smoking when drowsy. Attend to cooking. Use oven mitts when cooking.
Falls can happen at any age, but falls resulting in severe injury and death are greatest among seniors. Each year 7,000 seniors die as a result of a fall. This can happen because of changes in muscle and bone strength, hearing, and vision. Medications can also affect balance and coordination.
Click here for a PDF file with more information on safety for seniors.
Change your Smoke Alarm Battery!
Smoke alarms play a critical role in saving lives. They increase your chance of survival by more than half. Code requires a working smoke alarm on every sleeping level of your residence. If you are a renter, your landlord is responsible for making sure there are working smoke detectors. Smoke alarms play a critical role in saving lives. They increase your chance of survival in a fire by more than half.
Click here for a PDF file with more helpful information.